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Lavergne MR, Shirmaleki M, Loyal JP, Jones W, Nicholls TL, Schütz CG, Vaughan A, Samji H, Puyat JH, Kaoser R, Kaulius M, Small W. Emergency department use for mental and substance use disorders: descriptive analysis of population-based, linked administrative data in British Columbia, Canada. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057072. [PMID: 35027424 PMCID: PMC8762129 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Information on emergency department (ED) visits for mental and substance use disorders (MSUDs) is important for planning services but has not been explored in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We describe all MSUD ED visits for people ages 15 and older in the province of BC in 2017/2018 and document trends in MSUD ED visits between 2007/2008 and 2017/2018 by disorder group. DESIGN Population-based linked administrative data comprised of ED records and physician billings capturing all MSUD ED visits in BC. SETTING BC is Canada's westernmost province with a population of approximately 5 million. Permanent residents receive first-dollar coverage for all medically necessary services provided by licensed physicians or in hospitals, including ED services. POPULATION All people age >15 with MSUD ED visits during the study period. MEASURES All claims with a service location in the ED or corresponding to fee items billed only in the ED were examined alongside ED visits reported through a national reporting system. Patient characteristics (sex/gender, age, location of residence, income, treated disorders and comorbidities) and previous outpatient service use for all ED visits by visit diagnosis are also described. RESULTS A total of 72 363 people made 134 063 visits to the ED in 2017/2018 for needs related to MSUD. MSUD ED visits have increased since 2010, particularly visits for substance use and anxiety disorders. People with more frequent visits were more likely to be male, on public prescription drug plans for income assistance, prescribed psychiatric medications, and living in lower-income neighbourhoods. They used more community-based primary care and psychiatry services and had lower continuity of primary care. CONCLUSIONS MSUD ED visits are substantial and growing in BC. Findings underscore a need to strengthen and target community healthcare services and adequately resource and support EDs to manage growing patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ruth Lavergne
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mehdi Shirmaleki
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jackson P Loyal
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wayne Jones
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tonia L Nicholls
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian G Schütz
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Adam Vaughan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Texas State University San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Hasina Samji
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joseph H Puyat
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ridhwana Kaoser
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Megan Kaulius
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Will Small
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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